Amoeblog

Amoeba Has College Rock Radio Exclusive With We Are Scientists!

Posted by Billy Gil, October 9, 2012 07:05pm | Post a Comment

College Radio DayAmoeba has an exclusive We Are Scientists download, a live version of their hit “After Hours,” as part of its full-album download of College Radio Day – The Album.

While the album (and track) is available on CD ($14.98), only Amoeba.com includes the download of the We Are Scientists track, which comes on the limited edition CD. The entire album download is $9.98 on MP3, and also available on either ALAC or WAV file (that’s fancier fidelity, for non-audiophiles) — as opposed to $11.98 on iTunes in MP3 only, and without that bonus track. The sale is limited, so if you’re thinking about picking it up, do it soon!

The album is a two-disc set featuring songs from The Civil Wars, Umphrey’s McGee, Delta Spirit as well as a score of unsigned artists recorded live at college radio stations around the country. Proceeds from the album go toward the College Radio Defense Fund, putting money toward things like new equipment, repairing existing equipment, supporting promotional events and other much-needed help.

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College Radio Day A Grassroots Movement As Much as A One Day Celebration

Posted by Billyjam, August 15, 2012 06:13am | Post a Comment
In the aftermath of the US losing several key college radio stations over the past couple of years including KUSF 90.3FM at the University of San Francisco and Rice University's equally beloved college station KTRU in Houston, TX - parties directly affected along, with the countless others that are similarly endangered, have banded together to protest these injustices are still fighting the good fight.

Many of these same individuals are also celebrating the stations they still have while simultaneously building awareness of the cultural value & importance of college and community radio as an independent media voice. This they are doing via College Radio Day which for its inaugural event last year witnessed the participation of over 350 different radio stations. And this year's College Radio Day, taking place seven weeks from now on October 2nd, is shaping up to be an even bigger event in every way with approximately 500 radio stations already signed on to participate in this grand scale broadcast event.

Just as Record Store Day was started by struggling brick and mortar record shops round the country who joined forces, College Radio Day was begun in a somewhat similar vein. The main man responsible for College Radio Day is Rob Quicke of New Jersey's William Paterson University station WPSC who, in celebration of the second edition of this annual event, is compiling a special benefit compilation album by a wide array of artists. Side A reportedly will feature unsigned artists selected by a committee of stations while Side B will feature signed/known artists that are down for the cause and want to acknowledge the support they received from being played on College Radio over their respective careers.  All proceeds will go directly to a transparent College Radio Defense Fund established by Quicke. This week I caught up with Rob to find out more about College Radio Day and this compilation which will be available through Amoeba upon its release.
  
Amoeblog: For those who don't know the full background on College Radio Day; how did it come about?

KFJC's 32nd Annual Month of Mayhem Packed With Must-Hear Radio Specials

Posted by Billyjam, May 7, 2012 10:15am | Post a Comment
It's already one week into May which means it's already one week into the Month of Mayhem at the revered Bay Area institution that is radio station KFJC 89.7 FM  in Los Altos Hills. "We're really proud of our annual Month of Mayhem station tradition," said spokesperson Jennifer Waits from the highly respected student and volunteer-run Foothill College radio station, noting how each May since 1981 that KFJC DJs have been pulling out all the stops when they craft a rich range of specials on a variety of topics.

Indeed in light of the danger that so many community radio stations across the US like KFJC have found themselves in of late (see KUSF story) it seems more important than ever to embrace and appreciate the truly unique radio stations like the 53 year old KFJC which is always a treat to tune into at anytime. But during Mayhem month KFJC is even better than usual.

Over the weekend I found myself tuning in to see what audio treat was on and catching such specials as a really excellent and most unique Elvis Presley special on Saturday that steered clear of the well known hits by "The King" but instead offered an offbeat look at Presley's music and its influence. That Elvis Presley special is one of approximately sixty different special programs planned for the Month of Mayhem.

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